US20140215228A1 - Power over ethernet power harvester - Google Patents
Power over ethernet power harvester Download PDFInfo
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- US20140215228A1 US20140215228A1 US13/754,191 US201313754191A US2014215228A1 US 20140215228 A1 US20140215228 A1 US 20140215228A1 US 201313754191 A US201313754191 A US 201313754191A US 2014215228 A1 US2014215228 A1 US 2014215228A1
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- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 77
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 28
- 230000001105 regulatory effect Effects 0.000 claims description 17
- 238000003306 harvesting Methods 0.000 claims description 5
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims 1
- 230000001131 transforming effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 230000005540 biological transmission Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000010586 diagram Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000006243 chemical reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000001276 controlling effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000005516 engineering process Methods 0.000 description 2
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/26—Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/26—Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof
- G06F1/266—Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
- G06F1/00—Details not covered by groups G06F3/00 - G06F13/00 and G06F21/00
- G06F1/26—Power supply means, e.g. regulation thereof
- G06F1/263—Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC
Definitions
- PoE Power over Ethernet
- the network cables may connect a variety of the PoE devices to network modules of a communication device through ports provided onto the communication device.
- the network modules and the ports of the communication device can be powered by at least one power supply unit (PSU).
- PSU generally provides both an operating power for the operation of the network modules and a PoE power to the ports.
- PoE technique is employed to provide the power over data transfer cable, such as an Ethernet cable, used for communication of data. In this way, power can be provided to the PoE devices by the Ethernet cable itself, rather than requiring a separate source of power for the PoE devices.
- FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a block diagram of a Power over Ethernet (PoE) communication system, according to an example of the present subject matter.
- PoE Power over Ethernet
- FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of connection of a PoE power harvester and a standard power supply unit (PSU) with a communication device, according to an example of the present subject matter.
- PSU standard power supply unit
- FIG. 3 a illustrates a rear view of the communication device with the PoE power harvester coupled to a standard PSU slot, according to an example of the present subject matter.
- FIG. 3 b illustrates a front view of the communication device with network modules, according to an example of the present subject matter.
- FIG. 4 illustrates a method for using leftover PoE power for operating additional network modules in the communication device, in accordance with an example of the present subject matter
- PoE Power over Ethernet
- the PoE technology is commonly used for powering various PoE devices, such as voice over internet protocol (VoIP) telephones, wireless local area network (WLAN) access points, webcams, embedded computers, and other appliances, over the Ethernet cable.
- VoIP voice over internet protocol
- WLAN wireless local area network
- the PoE devices can be connected to communication devices, such as Ethernet switches, routers, hubs, other network switching equipments, or midspan devices.
- a PoE based communication system may include different host devices connected to the communication devices.
- the host devices communicate communication data to the PoE devices via the communication devices.
- Examples of host devices may include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, smart phones, PDAs, tablets, desktop computers, laptops, servers, mainframe computers, and the like, belonging to an end user, such as an individual, a service provider, an organization, or an enterprise.
- the communication devices have power connectors and network modules having ports.
- the power connectors may be coupled to power supply units (PSUs).
- PSUs power supply units
- Each of the PSUs may provide 12 V of operating power for operation of the network modules and 50/54 V of PoE power for the ports of the network modules.
- the total PoE power may not be fully utilized by the communication device.
- a communication device equipped with a single PSU is with a rated capacity of a predefined PoE power, say, 1000 W. It may happen that the PoE power consumption by the PoE devices coupled with the communication device may be less than the rated capacity, say, 500 W. As a result, the leftover PoE power of about 500 W is usually not utilized at all.
- devices and methods are provided to harvest the leftover PoE power for operating the additional network modules.
- the leftover PoE power is harvested by a PoE power harvester adapter that converts the leftover PoE power into the operating power for operating the additional network modules.
- the PoE power harvester adapter can be coupled to one of the standard power connectors provided on the communication device.
- the PoE power harvester adapter converts the leftover PoE power into the operating power of a voltage level that is less than the voltage level of the leftover PoE power. For example, the PoE power harvester adapter receives the leftover PoE power of about 54 V and converts it to the operating power of about 12 V.
- FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a power over ethernet (PoE) communication system 100 , in which a PoE based communication device 102 is used to transfer data as well as power to remote devices, according to the present subject matter.
- the communication device 102 may be an Ethernet switch, a router, a hub, a midspan device, or other network switching equipment.
- the communication device 102 receives data from host devices 106 - 1 , 106 - 2 , . . . , 106 -N, over a network 104 .
- the host devices 106 - 1 , 106 - 2 , . . . , 106 -N may be collectively referred to as host devices 106 .
- the host devices 106 may include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, smart phones, PDAs, tablets, desktop computers, laptops, servers, mainframe computers, and the like, belonging to an end user, such as an individual, a service provider, an organization or an enterprise.
- the network 104 may be a wireless or a wired network, or a combination thereof.
- the network 104 can be implemented as a computer network, as one of the different types of networks, such as virtual private network (VPN), intranet, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the internet, and such.
- the network 104 may either be a dedicated network or a shared network, which represents an association of the different types of networks that use a variety of protocols, for example, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), to communicate with each other.
- the network 104 may include a variety of network devices, including routers, bridges, servers, computing devices, storage devices.
- PoE devices 110 The data received from the host devices 106 is communicated over Ethernet cables 108 to PoE devices 110 - 1 , 110 - 2 , 110 - 3 , . . . , 110 -N, collectively referred to as PoE devices 110 , by the communication device 102 .
- the PoE devices 110 may be one of an Internet protocol (IP) phone (VoIP telephone), a wireless local access network (WLAN) access point, a webcam, an embedded computer, or other appliance adapted to receive both data and power via a standard Ethernet cable.
- IP Internet protocol
- WLAN wireless local access network
- the communication device 102 includes network modules 112 - 1 and 112 - 2 , collectively referred to as network modules 112 .
- the network modules 112 may be a card, a blade, a network card, or a daughter card.
- the network modules 112 transmit and receive data, to and from the host devices 106 over the network 104 . Further, the network modules 112 may transmit the received data to the PoE devices 110 , via the Ethernet cables 108 connecting the PoE ports 114 and the PoE devices 110 .
- the network modules 112 have ports or PoE ports 114 - 1 , 114 - 2 , 114 - 3 , . . . , 114 -N, collectively referred to as PoE ports 114 .
- the PoE ports 114 are provided at one side of the communication device 102 . Further, the PoE ports 114 connect the communication device 102 with the PoE devices 110 . Additionally, some or all of the PoE ports 114 are capable of providing power to the PoE devices 110 over the same communication cable used for communication of data.
- the communication device 102 of the communication system 100 is designed to support the PoE ports 114 , and to facilitate PoE functionality for some or all of the supported PoE ports 114 .
- the communication device 102 at its one side, includes power connectors 116 - 1 , 116 - 2 , 116 - 3 , . . . , 116 -N, collectively referred to as power connectors 116 .
- the power connectors 116 are so formed that each power connector 116 is adapted to be coupled with one power supply unit (PSU) 118 and provide a regulated power supply to the network modules 112 and the PoE ports 114 .
- PSU power supply unit
- the PSU 118 provides power at a specified voltage from an external source, such as mains power 120 .
- the mains power 120 is typically AC (Alternate Current) power provided from a building's electric distribution plant. This AC power is converted into DC (Direct Current) power by an electronic circuitry (shown in FIG. 2 ) embedded in the PSU 118 .
- the PSU 118 provides the converted AC power as an operating power 122 for operating the network modules 112 and as a PoE power 124 for the PoE ports 114 connected to the PoE devices 110 .
- the transmission of the operating power 122 is shown by arrow A and the transmission of the PoE power 124 is shown by arrow B.
- a reference to the operating power 122 and the PoE power 124 would also be indicative of the bus lines, interconnects or transmission means for transmitting the operating power 122 and the PoE power 124 .
- the bus lines used for transmission of the PoE power 124 are shown with dotted lines to differentiate from the bus lines of the operating power 122 .
- the PSU 118 is designed to provide both the operating power 122 for operation of the network modules 112 and the PoE power 124 for the PoE ports 114 of the network modules 112 .
- the PoE power 124 may not be fully utilized by the communication device 102 .
- the communication device 102 is equipped with a single PSU 118 capable of providing a predefined PoE power 124 , for example 1000 W. It may be the case that the power consumption by the communication device 102 may be less, say 500 W, than the predefined PoE power 124 . In such case, the leftover PoE power, for example, of about 500 W, is usually not utilized at all.
- a PoE power harvester adapter 126 is coupled to one of the power connectors 116 .
- the PoE power harvester adapter 126 is provided to generate additional operating power based on the leftover PoE, for operating additional network modules.
- the PoE power harvester adapter 126 includes a power regulating unit (shown in FIG. 2 ).
- the power regulating unit can be a DC/DC converter or a bus converter.
- the power regulating unit is arranged to receive the (DC) leftover PoE power, and to convert the leftover PoE power into the additional operating power of a voltage level less than the voltage level of the leftover PoE power.
- the power regulating unit receives the leftover PoE power of about 54 V and converts it to the additional operating power of about 12 V.
- the power regulating unit or the DC/DC converter it is also possible for the power regulating unit or the DC/DC converter to be of a design that gives an output voltage level higher than the PoE power 124 , or to give an output voltage level that is negative with respect to the PoE power 124 .
- Various topologies such as a “boost-converter,” a “buck-boost converter,” and a “single-ended primary-inductor converter (SEPIC) converter” could be used for these purposes, and they (and others) are well known in the art.
- the PoE power harvester adapter 126 harvests the lower voltage PoE power 124 and converts it to higher voltage operating power 122 , for being used by the network modules 112 .
- FIG. 2 illustrates, as an example, a block diagram representing the connection of the PoE power harvester adapter 126 and the PSU 118 with the communication device 102 , according to the present subject matter.
- the PSU 118 provides power at a specified voltage received from an external source, such as the mains power 120 (shown in FIG. 1 ).
- the PSU 118 includes a standard electronic circuitry 202 , which is adapted to receive AC power from the mains power 120 and to convert the received AC power into DC power. Further, the standard electronic circuitry 202 of the PSU 118 provides both the operating power 122 for the network modules 112 and the PoE power 124 for the PoE ports 114 .
- the PoE power 124 delivered to the PoE ports 114 is usually communicated to the PoE devices 110 attached to the PoE ports 114 , over the Ethernet cables 108 . As discussed previously, for some configurations of the communication device 102 , the total PoE power 124 delivered to the communication device 102 is not fully utilized. Only a part of the PoE power 124 , i.e., the consumable PoE power, is consumed and the leftover PoE power is not utilized at all.
- the present subject matter provides the PoE power harvester adapter 126 .
- the PoE power harvester adapter 126 is so designed that the PoE power harvester adapter 126 can be coupled to the power connector 116 designed for the PSU 118 .
- a supporting electronic circuitry embedded on the PoE power harvester adapter 126 may provide information to the communication device 102 about the availability of additional operating power, and about the reduction in the PoE power 124 .
- the PoE power harvester adapter 126 includes a power regulating unit 204 arranged to receive the leftover PoE power from the PoE power 124 and convert the same to a predefined voltage level, as the additional operating power.
- the power regulating unit 204 can be a DC/DC converter provided on the PoE power harvester adapter 126 .
- the DC/DC converter may include an Intermediate Bus Converter (IBC).
- IBC is a modular hot plug-in, scalable DC/DC converter that provides a well regulated and isolated output voltage.
- the IBC can be one of a fixed-ratio DC/DC converter (isolated or non-isolated), a line regulated DC/DC converter, and a fully regulated DC/DC converter.
- the IBC is typically implemented in the efficient form of a switched mode power supply (SMPS) converter, which may be fully regulated or line regulated to convert the leftover PoE power into the additional operating power.
- SMPS switched mode power supply
- the IBC provides a fixed voltage conversion ratio, i.e., input-to-output ratio, most commonly 4.5:1, 5.5:1, or 6.5:1. For example, once the input-to-output ratio of 4.5:1 is selected, then the IBC may convert the input voltage level of about 54V into a voltage level of 12V.
- the IBC is provided between a PoE power bus and an operating power bus.
- the PoE power bus feeds the IBC with the leftover PoE power which is then converted to the additional operating power by the IBC.
- the IBC then supplies the additional operating power at the pre-determined voltage level to Point of Loads (POLs).
- POLs Point of Loads
- a network module 112 is communicatively coupled as a load. In this way, the IBC may deliver the predefined voltage level at the POLs connected to the network devices 112 provided as loads.
- the PoE power harvester adapter 126 having the IBC is more efficient and cost-effective to manufacture by reason of having isolation of the IBC from an input AC power bus, which generally requires the use of relatively costly components including a transformer. This in turn makes the PoE power harvester adapter 126 less costly with respect to the standard PSUs. Because of low cost, a user can power up multiple PoE power harvester adapters 126 to provide failover redundancy. Moreover, the PoE power harvester adapter 126 has lower failure rate as compared to a standard PSU, due to lower circuit complexity and component counts.
- the IBC is provided to generate the additional operating power having voltage level of less or more than the voltage level of the PoE power 124 .
- the IBC includes a converting module (not shown in Figures) and a controlling module (not shown in Figures).
- the converting module receives the leftover PoE power as a power input and generates the additional operating power for operating the additional network modules.
- the controlling module controls the converting module to convert the leftover PoE power into the additional operating power having voltage level higher than the PoE power 124 , or having voltage level that is negative with respect to the PoE power 124 .
- the IBC or the power regulating unit 204 of the PoE power harvester adapter 126 then provides the additional operating power to operate the additional network modules, which otherwise cannot be operated without connecting a new PSU.
- the PoE power harvester adapter 126 in place of the standard PSU, the leftover PoE power is used for operating additional network modules. This in turn reduces the cost and complexity of the PoE communication system 100 .
- FIG. 3 a illustrates a rear view of the communication device 102 with the PoE power harvester adapter 126 coupled to the power connector 116 - 2 , according to the present subject matter.
- the communication device 102 includes the power connectors 116 .
- the PSU 118 may be coupled to a power connector 116 - 1 to provide both the operating power 122 for the network modules 112 and the PoE power 124 for the PoE ports 114 of the network modules 112 .
- the PoE power 124 includes a consumable PoE power for powering the PoE device 114 and a leftover PoE power.
- the PoE power harvester adapter 126 is coupled to a power connector 116 - 2 to convert the leftover PoE power into additional operating power for operating additional network modules without using external power. In this way, the leftover power is conserved and an economical communication device 102 can be provided.
- the power connectors 116 that are still vacant can be provided with either another PoE power harvester adapter or another power supply unit depending upon the requirement of the communication device 102 .
- FIG. 3 b illustrates a front view of the communication device 102 , according to the present subject matter.
- the communication device 102 is a network switch and is supporting twelve network modules 112 - 1 , 112 - 2 , 112 - 3 , . . . , 112 - 12 , collectively referred to as network modules 112 .
- the network switches are provided as network cards.
- the network cards are removable.
- each network module 112 includes a number of PoE ports 114 , out of which only one is marked for the sake of clarity.
- the PoE ports 114 are connected to the PoE devices 110 over the Ethernet cables 108 .
- the PSU 118 can provided the operating power 122 to operate, let say, six network modules 112 out of the twelve network modules 112 . Since the PSU 118 may not have capability to provide the operating power 122 for all twelve network modules 112 . Now, in case there is some leftover PoE power in the communication device 102 , the PoE power harvester adapter 126 can be provided to convert the leftover PoE power into additional operating power, and accordingly more than six network modules can be operated.
- FIG. 4 illustrates method 400 for using the leftover PoE power for operating additional network modules in the communication device 102 , according to the present subject matter.
- the order in which the method 400 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement the method 400 , or an alternative method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from the method 400 without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein.
- the method 400 for data communication may be implemented in a variety of communication systems working in different communication network environments, in the principles described in FIG. 4 , the method 400 is explained in context of the aforementioned PoE communication system 100 including communication devices 102 , such as the switch, for the ease of explanation.
- the method 400 may include receiving an operating power 122 for operation of network modules 112 and a PoE power 124 for PoE ports 114 of the network modules 112 .
- the operating power 122 and the PoE power 124 are received from a power supply unit 118 .
- the PoE ports 114 are connected to PoE devices 110 for operating the PoE devices 110
- the method 400 may include transmitting the PoE power from the PoE ports 114 to the PoE devices 110 via Ethernet cables 108 .
- the PoE power 124 has two portions, i.e., a consumable PoE power for powering the PoE devices 110 and a leftover PoE power.
- the method 400 may include determining whether additional operating power is required for operating additional network modules or not. The determination of the additional operating power is carried out when additional network modules are to be operated and no operating power 122 is available for operating additional network modules
- the method 400 may include determining the leftover PoE power from the transmitted PoE power 124 .
- a PoE power harvester adapter 126 is coupled with a connector 116 - 2 provided for the PSU 118 .
- the method 400 may include converting the leftover PoE power into the additional operating power for operating the additional network modules.
- the conversion is performed by the PoE power harvester adapter 126 .
- the leftover PoE power is used for operating the additional network modules.
- PoE Power over Ethernet
Abstract
Description
- Power over Ethernet (PoE) may include techniques for delivering power and data to PoE devices over network cable, such as Ethernet cable. The network cables may connect a variety of the PoE devices to network modules of a communication device through ports provided onto the communication device. The network modules and the ports of the communication device can be powered by at least one power supply unit (PSU). The PSU generally provides both an operating power for the operation of the network modules and a PoE power to the ports. In such cases, PoE technique is employed to provide the power over data transfer cable, such as an Ethernet cable, used for communication of data. In this way, power can be provided to the PoE devices by the Ethernet cable itself, rather than requiring a separate source of power for the PoE devices.
- The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components:
-
FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a block diagram of a Power over Ethernet (PoE) communication system, according to an example of the present subject matter. -
FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of connection of a PoE power harvester and a standard power supply unit (PSU) with a communication device, according to an example of the present subject matter. -
FIG. 3 a illustrates a rear view of the communication device with the PoE power harvester coupled to a standard PSU slot, according to an example of the present subject matter. -
FIG. 3 b illustrates a front view of the communication device with network modules, according to an example of the present subject matter. -
FIG. 4 illustrates a method for using leftover PoE power for operating additional network modules in the communication device, in accordance with an example of the present subject matter - Power over Ethernet (PoE) technology enables transmission of electric power, along with data, to devices over a network cable, such as an Ethernet cable in an Ethernet network.
- The PoE technology is commonly used for powering various PoE devices, such as voice over internet protocol (VoIP) telephones, wireless local area network (WLAN) access points, webcams, embedded computers, and other appliances, over the Ethernet cable. As a result, a separate power supply for powering the PoE devices would not be required. The PoE devices can be connected to communication devices, such as Ethernet switches, routers, hubs, other network switching equipments, or midspan devices.
- Usually, a PoE based communication system may include different host devices connected to the communication devices. The host devices communicate communication data to the PoE devices via the communication devices. Examples of host devices may include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, smart phones, PDAs, tablets, desktop computers, laptops, servers, mainframe computers, and the like, belonging to an end user, such as an individual, a service provider, an organization, or an enterprise.
- The communication devices have power connectors and network modules having ports. The power connectors may be coupled to power supply units (PSUs). Each of the PSUs may provide 12 V of operating power for operation of the network modules and 50/54 V of PoE power for the ports of the network modules.
- However, for some configurations of the communication device, the total PoE power may not be fully utilized by the communication device. For example, consider a case where a communication device equipped with a single PSU is with a rated capacity of a predefined PoE power, say, 1000 W. It may happen that the PoE power consumption by the PoE devices coupled with the communication device may be less than the rated capacity, say, 500 W. As a result, the leftover PoE power of about 500 W is usually not utilized at all.
- In case additional network modules are to be installed, a user has to rely on the operating power provided by the PSU to operate additional network modules. If the operating power provided for operation of the network modules is fully utilized, the user may add a new PSU. The addition of new PSU would lead to addition in unused leftover PoE power. Accordingly, in reality, there is likely hood of the leftover PoE power, and therefore the communication device is less cost effective.
- In accordance with the present subject matter, devices and methods are provided to harvest the leftover PoE power for operating the additional network modules. The leftover PoE power is harvested by a PoE power harvester adapter that converts the leftover PoE power into the operating power for operating the additional network modules. The PoE power harvester adapter can be coupled to one of the standard power connectors provided on the communication device.
- Further, the PoE power harvester adapter converts the leftover PoE power into the operating power of a voltage level that is less than the voltage level of the leftover PoE power. For example, the PoE power harvester adapter receives the leftover PoE power of about 54 V and converts it to the operating power of about 12 V.
- The devices and methods for harvesting the leftover PoE power are further described in conjunction with the following figures. It should be noted that the description and figures merely illustrate the implementations of the present subject matter. Further, one can devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the implementations of the present subject matter and are included within its spirit and scope. Furthermore, all examples recited herein are only to aid the reader in understanding the examples of the present subject matter. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present subject matter, as well as specific examples thereof, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
- The manner in which the devices and methods for using the leftover PoE power shall be explained in details with respect to
FIGS. 1 to 4 . While aspects of described devices and methods for using the leftover PoE power can be implemented in any number of environments, and/or configurations, the implementations are described in the context of the following exemplary device(s). -
FIG. 1 , as an example, schematically illustrates a power over ethernet (PoE)communication system 100, in which a PoE basedcommunication device 102 is used to transfer data as well as power to remote devices, according to the present subject matter. Further, according to one implementation, thecommunication device 102 may be an Ethernet switch, a router, a hub, a midspan device, or other network switching equipment. - The
communication device 102 receives data from host devices 106-1, 106-2, . . . , 106-N, over anetwork 104. The host devices 106-1, 106-2, . . . , 106-N may be collectively referred to ashost devices 106. Thehost devices 106 may include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, smart phones, PDAs, tablets, desktop computers, laptops, servers, mainframe computers, and the like, belonging to an end user, such as an individual, a service provider, an organization or an enterprise. - Further, the
network 104 may be a wireless or a wired network, or a combination thereof. In an example, thenetwork 104 can be implemented as a computer network, as one of the different types of networks, such as virtual private network (VPN), intranet, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), the internet, and such. Thenetwork 104 may either be a dedicated network or a shared network, which represents an association of the different types of networks that use a variety of protocols, for example, Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP), to communicate with each other. Further, thenetwork 104 may include a variety of network devices, including routers, bridges, servers, computing devices, storage devices. - The data received from the
host devices 106 is communicated over Ethernetcables 108 to PoE devices 110-1, 110-2, 110-3, . . . , 110-N, collectively referred to asPoE devices 110, by thecommunication device 102. As noted above, the PoEdevices 110 may be one of an Internet protocol (IP) phone (VoIP telephone), a wireless local access network (WLAN) access point, a webcam, an embedded computer, or other appliance adapted to receive both data and power via a standard Ethernet cable. - In one implementation, the
communication device 102 includes network modules 112-1 and 112-2, collectively referred to asnetwork modules 112. Thenetwork modules 112 may be a card, a blade, a network card, or a daughter card. Thenetwork modules 112 transmit and receive data, to and from thehost devices 106 over thenetwork 104. Further, thenetwork modules 112 may transmit the received data to thePoE devices 110, via the Ethernetcables 108 connecting thePoE ports 114 and thePoE devices 110. - The
network modules 112 have ports or PoE ports 114-1, 114-2, 114-3, . . . , 114-N, collectively referred to asPoE ports 114. The PoEports 114 are provided at one side of thecommunication device 102. Further, thePoE ports 114 connect thecommunication device 102 with thePoE devices 110. Additionally, some or all of thePoE ports 114 are capable of providing power to thePoE devices 110 over the same communication cable used for communication of data. - Further, the
communication device 102 of thecommunication system 100 is designed to support thePoE ports 114, and to facilitate PoE functionality for some or all of the supportedPoE ports 114. For providing the PoE functionality, thecommunication device 102, as shown inFIG. 1 , at its one side, includes power connectors 116-1, 116-2, 116-3, . . . , 116-N, collectively referred to aspower connectors 116. Thepower connectors 116 are so formed that eachpower connector 116 is adapted to be coupled with one power supply unit (PSU) 118 and provide a regulated power supply to thenetwork modules 112 and thePoE ports 114. - The
PSU 118 provides power at a specified voltage from an external source, such asmains power 120. Themains power 120 is typically AC (Alternate Current) power provided from a building's electric distribution plant. This AC power is converted into DC (Direct Current) power by an electronic circuitry (shown inFIG. 2 ) embedded in thePSU 118. ThePSU 118 provides the converted AC power as anoperating power 122 for operating thenetwork modules 112 and as aPoE power 124 for thePoE ports 114 connected to thePoE devices 110. InFIG. 1 , the transmission of the operatingpower 122 is shown by arrow A and the transmission of thePoE power 124 is shown by arrow B. It should be noted that a reference to theoperating power 122 and thePoE power 124 would also be indicative of the bus lines, interconnects or transmission means for transmitting the operatingpower 122 and thePoE power 124. Further, inFIG. 1 , the bus lines used for transmission of thePoE power 124 are shown with dotted lines to differentiate from the bus lines of the operatingpower 122. - Accordingly, the
PSU 118 is designed to provide both theoperating power 122 for operation of thenetwork modules 112 and thePoE power 124 for thePoE ports 114 of thenetwork modules 112. However, for some configurations of thecommunication device 102, thePoE power 124 may not be fully utilized by thecommunication device 102. For example, in case where thecommunication device 102 is equipped with asingle PSU 118 capable of providing apredefined PoE power 124, for example 1000 W. It may be the case that the power consumption by thecommunication device 102 may be less, say 500 W, than thepredefined PoE power 124. In such case, the leftover PoE power, for example, of about 500 W, is usually not utilized at all. As discussed previously, in case a user has to rely on theoperating power 122 to operate additional network modules. In case the operatingpower 122 provided for operation of thenetwork modules 112 is fully utilized, the only option left for the user is to purchase new PSU according to the known solutions. Further, with addition of every new PSU, a total unutilized PoE power increases in thecommunication device 102, which makes the communication device less cost effective. - According to the present subject matter, a PoE
power harvester adapter 126 is coupled to one of thepower connectors 116. The PoEpower harvester adapter 126 is provided to generate additional operating power based on the leftover PoE, for operating additional network modules. For generating the additional operating power, the PoEpower harvester adapter 126 includes a power regulating unit (shown inFIG. 2 ). The power regulating unit can be a DC/DC converter or a bus converter. The power regulating unit is arranged to receive the (DC) leftover PoE power, and to convert the leftover PoE power into the additional operating power of a voltage level less than the voltage level of the leftover PoE power. For example, the power regulating unit receives the leftover PoE power of about 54 V and converts it to the additional operating power of about 12 V. - However, in an alternative implementation, it is also possible for the power regulating unit or the DC/DC converter to be of a design that gives an output voltage level higher than the
PoE power 124, or to give an output voltage level that is negative with respect to thePoE power 124. Various topologies such as a “boost-converter,” a “buck-boost converter,” and a “single-ended primary-inductor converter (SEPIC) converter” could be used for these purposes, and they (and others) are well known in the art. Thus, in case the voltage level of thePoE power 124 may be lower than the voltage level of the operatingpower 122, the PoEpower harvester adapter 126 harvests the lowervoltage PoE power 124 and converts it to highervoltage operating power 122, for being used by thenetwork modules 112. -
FIG. 2 illustrates, as an example, a block diagram representing the connection of the PoEpower harvester adapter 126 and thePSU 118 with thecommunication device 102, according to the present subject matter. As can be seen fromFIG. 2 , thePSU 118 provides power at a specified voltage received from an external source, such as the mains power 120 (shown inFIG. 1 ). ThePSU 118 includes a standardelectronic circuitry 202, which is adapted to receive AC power from themains power 120 and to convert the received AC power into DC power. Further, the standardelectronic circuitry 202 of thePSU 118 provides both theoperating power 122 for thenetwork modules 112 and thePoE power 124 for thePoE ports 114. ThePoE power 124 delivered to thePoE ports 114 is usually communicated to thePoE devices 110 attached to thePoE ports 114, over theEthernet cables 108. As discussed previously, for some configurations of thecommunication device 102, thetotal PoE power 124 delivered to thecommunication device 102 is not fully utilized. Only a part of thePoE power 124, i.e., the consumable PoE power, is consumed and the leftover PoE power is not utilized at all. - In order to harvest the leftover PoE power, the present subject matter provides the PoE
power harvester adapter 126. The PoEpower harvester adapter 126 is so designed that the PoEpower harvester adapter 126 can be coupled to thepower connector 116 designed for thePSU 118. Once the PoEpower harvester adapter 126 is coupled to thepower connector 116, a supporting electronic circuitry (not shown in figures) embedded on the PoEpower harvester adapter 126 may provide information to thecommunication device 102 about the availability of additional operating power, and about the reduction in thePoE power 124. - Further, according to the present subject matter, the PoE
power harvester adapter 126 includes apower regulating unit 204 arranged to receive the leftover PoE power from thePoE power 124 and convert the same to a predefined voltage level, as the additional operating power. - The
power regulating unit 204 can be a DC/DC converter provided on the PoEpower harvester adapter 126. The DC/DC converter may include an Intermediate Bus Converter (IBC). The IBC is a modular hot plug-in, scalable DC/DC converter that provides a well regulated and isolated output voltage. The IBC can be one of a fixed-ratio DC/DC converter (isolated or non-isolated), a line regulated DC/DC converter, and a fully regulated DC/DC converter. Further, the IBC is typically implemented in the efficient form of a switched mode power supply (SMPS) converter, which may be fully regulated or line regulated to convert the leftover PoE power into the additional operating power. The IBC provides a fixed voltage conversion ratio, i.e., input-to-output ratio, most commonly 4.5:1, 5.5:1, or 6.5:1. For example, once the input-to-output ratio of 4.5:1 is selected, then the IBC may convert the input voltage level of about 54V into a voltage level of 12V. - Further, the IBC is provided between a PoE power bus and an operating power bus. The PoE power bus feeds the IBC with the leftover PoE power which is then converted to the additional operating power by the IBC. The IBC then supplies the additional operating power at the pre-determined voltage level to Point of Loads (POLs). At each of the POLs, a
network module 112 is communicatively coupled as a load. In this way, the IBC may deliver the predefined voltage level at the POLs connected to thenetwork devices 112 provided as loads. - The PoE
power harvester adapter 126 having the IBC is more efficient and cost-effective to manufacture by reason of having isolation of the IBC from an input AC power bus, which generally requires the use of relatively costly components including a transformer. This in turn makes the PoEpower harvester adapter 126 less costly with respect to the standard PSUs. Because of low cost, a user can power up multiple PoEpower harvester adapters 126 to provide failover redundancy. Moreover, the PoEpower harvester adapter 126 has lower failure rate as compared to a standard PSU, due to lower circuit complexity and component counts. - According to the present subject matter, the IBC is provided to generate the additional operating power having voltage level of less or more than the voltage level of the
PoE power 124. In one implementation, the IBC includes a converting module (not shown in Figures) and a controlling module (not shown in Figures). The converting module receives the leftover PoE power as a power input and generates the additional operating power for operating the additional network modules. The controlling module controls the converting module to convert the leftover PoE power into the additional operating power having voltage level higher than thePoE power 124, or having voltage level that is negative with respect to thePoE power 124. - The IBC or the
power regulating unit 204 of the PoEpower harvester adapter 126 then provides the additional operating power to operate the additional network modules, which otherwise cannot be operated without connecting a new PSU. Thus, by using the PoEpower harvester adapter 126 in place of the standard PSU, the leftover PoE power is used for operating additional network modules. This in turn reduces the cost and complexity of thePoE communication system 100. -
FIG. 3 a, as an example, illustrates a rear view of thecommunication device 102 with the PoEpower harvester adapter 126 coupled to the power connector 116-2, according to the present subject matter. As can be seen fromFIG. 3 a, thecommunication device 102 includes thepower connectors 116. In an implementation, thePSU 118 may be coupled to a power connector 116-1 to provide both theoperating power 122 for thenetwork modules 112 and thePoE power 124 for thePoE ports 114 of thenetwork modules 112. ThePoE power 124 includes a consumable PoE power for powering thePoE device 114 and a leftover PoE power. - In another implementation, the PoE
power harvester adapter 126 is coupled to a power connector 116-2 to convert the leftover PoE power into additional operating power for operating additional network modules without using external power. In this way, the leftover power is conserved and aneconomical communication device 102 can be provided. Thepower connectors 116 that are still vacant can be provided with either another PoE power harvester adapter or another power supply unit depending upon the requirement of thecommunication device 102. -
FIG. 3 b, as an example, illustrates a front view of thecommunication device 102, according to the present subject matter. As can be seen, in the present example, thecommunication device 102 is a network switch and is supporting twelve network modules 112-1, 112-2, 112-3, . . . , 112-12, collectively referred to asnetwork modules 112. In the present example, the network switches are provided as network cards. In one example, the network cards are removable. Further, eachnetwork module 112 includes a number ofPoE ports 114, out of which only one is marked for the sake of clarity. Moreover, thePoE ports 114 are connected to thePoE devices 110 over theEthernet cables 108. - As mentioned earlier, a user has to rely on the operating power provided by the
PSU 118 to operate additional network modules. In the present example, thePSU 118 can provided theoperating power 122 to operate, let say, sixnetwork modules 112 out of the twelvenetwork modules 112. Since thePSU 118 may not have capability to provide theoperating power 122 for all twelvenetwork modules 112. Now, in case there is some leftover PoE power in thecommunication device 102, the PoEpower harvester adapter 126 can be provided to convert the leftover PoE power into additional operating power, and accordingly more than six network modules can be operated. -
FIG. 4 , as an example, illustratesmethod 400 for using the leftover PoE power for operating additional network modules in thecommunication device 102, according to the present subject matter. The order in which themethod 400 is described is not intended to be construed as a limitation, and any number of the described method blocks can be combined in any order to implement themethod 400, or an alternative method. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from themethod 400 without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. - Further, although the
method 400 for data communication may be implemented in a variety of communication systems working in different communication network environments, in the principles described inFIG. 4 , themethod 400 is explained in context of the aforementionedPoE communication system 100 includingcommunication devices 102, such as the switch, for the ease of explanation. - Referring to
FIG. 4 , as an example, atblock 402, themethod 400 may include receiving anoperating power 122 for operation ofnetwork modules 112 and aPoE power 124 forPoE ports 114 of thenetwork modules 112. The operatingpower 122 and thePoE power 124 are received from apower supply unit 118. Further, thePoE ports 114 are connected toPoE devices 110 for operating thePoE devices 110 - At
block 404, themethod 400 may include transmitting the PoE power from thePoE ports 114 to thePoE devices 110 viaEthernet cables 108. Further, thePoE power 124 has two portions, i.e., a consumable PoE power for powering thePoE devices 110 and a leftover PoE power. - At
block 406, themethod 400 may include determining whether additional operating power is required for operating additional network modules or not. The determination of the additional operating power is carried out when additional network modules are to be operated and no operatingpower 122 is available for operating additional network modules - AT
block 408, themethod 400 may include determining the leftover PoE power from the transmittedPoE power 124. In case the leftover power is available, a PoEpower harvester adapter 126 is coupled with a connector 116-2 provided for thePSU 118. - At
block 410, themethod 400 may include converting the leftover PoE power into the additional operating power for operating the additional network modules. The conversion is performed by the PoEpower harvester adapter 126. Thus, by using the PoEpower harvester adapter 126, the leftover PoE power is used for operating the additional network modules. - Although examples for the
communication device 102 and the PoEpower harvester adapter 126 have been described in language specific to structural features and/or methods, it is to be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to the specific features or methods described. Rather, the specific features and methods are disclosed as exemplary implementations for Power over Ethernet (PoE) communication systems.
Claims (10)
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